KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Fort Lewis College men’s soccer team (5-0-0 overall) climbed three spots today in the national rankings to No. 3 in the fourth NCAA Division II poll of the season, released earlier today by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and Continental Tire.

The Skyhawks, ranked No. 6 a week ago, improved to 5-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games by winning 2-0 at Colorado State-Pueblo on Sunday.

“We have had a fantastic opening to the season with five straight wins, scoring 12 goals and conceding only one,” said third-year FLC head coach Oige Kennedy. “This squad of players has earned their current ranking in the nation. However, we are readily aware that the only ranking that counts is the one that you have at the end of the year and we will continue to strive throughout the season to make sure we finish as high as we can.”

“The players are looking forward to being at home again this week with some tough opponents coming to Dirks Field,” Kennedy added. “We are hoping that we will see some big support this week and that the fans can continue to be our twelfth man and they are able to keep Dirks Field the fortress it has become in past years.”

The Skyhawks play three home games this week: against Colorado Mesa (0-5-1, 0-2-0) at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, Adams State (2-2-1, 1-1-0) at 3:30 p.m. Friday, and UC-Colorado Springs (3-3-0, 1-1-0) at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The RMAC placed three teams in the Top 25 in the fourth coaches’ poll of the season: No. 3 Fort Lewis, No. 11 Colorado Mines (4-1-0, 2-0-0), and No. 16 Regis (4-0-0, 1-0-0).

The complete poll includes:

1. Northern Kentucky
2. Rollins (Fla.)
3. Fort Lewis (Colo.)
4. Franklin Pierce (N.H.)
5. Barry (Fla.)
6. Mercyhurst (Pa.)
7. Cal. State-Los Angeles
8. Incarnate Word (Texas)
9. Lander (S.C.)
10. C.W. Post (N.Y.)
11. Colorado Mines
12. Midwestern State (Texas)
    Simon Fraser (B.C.)

14. West Virginia Wesleyan
15. Clayton State (Ga.)
16. Regis (Colo.)
17. Missouri Science & Technology
18. Lynn (Fla.)
19. Texas A&M International
20. Millersville (Pa.)
21. Sonoma State (Calif.)
22. Post (Conn.)
23. Flagler (Fla.)
24. Quincy (Ill.)
25. Saint Leo (Fla.)

Also receiving votes: Dowling (N.Y.), California (Pa.), Mars Hills (N.C.), Northwood (Mich.), Eastern New Mexico, Chico State (Calif.).

Additionally, the NCAA Division II regional rankings were announced today. The Skyhawks are ranked first in the Central Region:

1. Fort Lewis (Colo.)
2. Colorado Mines
3. Regis (Colo.)
4. UC-Colorado Springs
5. Metro State (Colo.)
6. Colorado State-Pueblo
7. Adams State
8. Mary (N.D.)
9. Colorado Mesa
10. Sioux Falls (S.D.)